Safety high-explosive impact fuse



oct. 9, 1928.

P- D. VAN ESSEN SAFETY HIGH EXPLQSIVE IMPACT FUSE Filed May A15. V19,24

R O T N E V m PIETER DANIEL VAN ESSEN, F EAAG', NETHERLANDS; SSIGNOE T0.BETHLEHEM vSTEEL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OIE"P.EIlll'iclSYIN'AyNIA'.

SAFETY HIGH-EXPLOSIvE IMPACT FUSE.

'Application `1ed- May 15,

My inventionrelates to impact fuses for projectiles designed to bered from ordnzflnce and has for an object a construction w ereby-the fuse is rendered safe from premature detonation in storage,in handling or during transportation, during its travel 1n the bore of the gun and for such time thereafter as may be determined by the requirements of firing.

lo In the drawing attached to this specification, I show in- Fig. 1 a section of the fuse, when completely assembled, withthe component parts in their inoperative position, a's they exist bef l5 lfore tiring from the gun.

In Fig. 2 I show a detail in perspective of two essential components of the fuse.

.In Fig. 1, I showa hollow nose fuse body of suitable profile, having' forwardly a threaded portion for attac'hmentto a fuse,

cap 11 and having rearwardly a threaded por'- tion for securing the fuse body to'\a projectile. The fuse body and the fusetcap are designed to providea forward chamber 12 for-containing the functional parts: of the fuse and the fuse body is also designed to provide a rearward chamber 13 for containing the booster charge. 'Ifhe chambers 12 and 13 are losed rearwardly by screwed closing plugs a0 land 15, respectively. The fuse cap 11 is,

in addition, bored to accommodate the strik- 1ng element 17 of the detonator mechanism and to provide= a'first or forward shoulder 8,

' a second shoulder9, land an annular recess 1 6, for, urposes to be hereinafter described. A

str1 er 17, which for-reasonsfof lightness I' preferably make of hollow construction, carries rearwardly a needle portion 18 consist-| ing of a iat base and a needle point in one piece; said needle portion being held in /position by an annular constriction or groove 19' immediately forward'of it. "i

I also show a complete detonator 20, consisting of a holder 21.centrally bored with an axial channel 22, a screwed cap 23 adapted to hold a priming cap 25, and a detonator casing 24, containing a reinforced'main detonator 28 and attached rearwardly of the holder 21. The screwed cap 23'is externally tapered,

5o forwardly at 26 for' aportion of its )length and has a hole 27 drilled in its forward end.' to admit entry of the striker needle 18.' The holder 21 when assembled in the fuse pro-` Njects rearwardly through the closing plug 14 into the rear chamber 13, so that the main det- 1924.' serial No. 713,514.

onator 28 occupies'a. position in the center of the booster charge. 1

The` two functional components of thedet onating or firing mechanism, viz, the striker 17 and thedetonator 20 arci-kept apart from each other by a safety member, viz, the spacing cage 30. This cage 30, which I show in 'greater detail in Fig. 2, consists of-a'hollow cylindrical casing having at its forward end spring clutch wings \31, .conforming to the annular groove 19 of the striker 17, and having-theirends turned back outwardly so as" to project beyond the diameter ofthe casing,

and form hook shaped sections, susce tible of being compressed so as to closely t the the forward face of said stirrup. The for- 7o wa1129 of the fuse cap. In addition, the cage ward'end of detonator screwed cap 23 like- I wise supports the stirrup 35.

An inertia sleevef37 loosely surrounds the cage 30 and is ada tedto jam onto the externally tapered shou der 26`of the screwed cap 23, when forcibly driven rearwardly there-- on. The wall of the inertia sleeve is of such thickness. as to be expanded when forced over the tapered shoulder 26. In this manner, there1 are provided means for permanently clutching the inertia sleevef37 to the screwed cap 23, upon shock of gun discharge. A reaction spring 38 shouldering on the closing plug 14, Vbears forwardly against the shoulder of the inertia sleeve 37 Y In the asse l bled fuse, the clutch wings 31 of 'thecagejf30 'securely grip the striker 17 atits annular groove .19,'being retained and vslightly compressed therein by the constraint of the fuse cap wall 29, thereby preventing any movement of the striker in relation to the cage '30' andthe detonator 20. The inertia sleeve 37 shouldering forwardly on the fuse 'esV cap 11A which is securely screwed to the fuse 105 body 1'0, and shouldering.- rearwardly on the projecting toe pieces 33 of the cage 30, effectively prevents any forward movement ofthe striker 17 Similarl I any forward movement of the detonator 20 1s prevented by the wings 36 of the stirrup 35 which also project in rear of the inertia sleeve 37, .and by the shoulder 34 of the cage-30. These members, viz, toe pieces 33 and wings 36, therefore act as abutment members, preventing any undesired forward movement of the detonator 20 and the striker 17 until the rearward movement of the inertia sleeve 37, under shock of gun discharge, has distorted them from their position of abutment. j l

As shown in Figure 2, the toe pieces 33 of cage 30 are substantially weaker and therefore'more easily distorted by the set-back of the sleeve 37, than are the wings 31 of the cage. The latter, due to their greater width and to the fact that, they are curv'edoutwardly and downwardlyat their extremities in hook formation, are not susceptible to distortion upon shock of discharge.- The possibility of their distortion is further guarded against by the fact that, the wings 31 are compressed in a radially inward direction, owing to their confinement b the wall 29 of the fuse cap, as long as the ring mechanism is in its safe or inoperative position; that is to say,until` they have been moved' to a position opposite the n'roove 16. It is also evident that no rearwari movement of the detonator mechanism is possible owing to the shouldering of the head of the striker 17 in its recess in the fuse cap 11 and the` shouldering of the screwed cap 23 on the closing plug 14.

The rearward chamber 13 is adapted to contain a booster charge 40, which may consist of compressed pellets of trinitrotoluol, trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, tetranitraniline, or of any similar aromatic nitro com'- pound, or other explosive suitable for the purpose. The booster charge 40 may be inserted so as to leave a space 41 in a zone immediately surrounding the maii detonator 28 when the latter is in its inoperative position,

1 but which will not be contiguous to the main A closing plug 15.

detonator when the latter is in its ring position. This space may be lled with some waxlike, ieldable material, such as for example,

para wax, cerasinwax, bitumen, etc., susceptible of effectively checking or damping the propagation of the wave of detonation, communicated by the main detonator 28 when in close juxtaposition'thereto, in fa manner disclosedin my U. S. Patent #1,570,983, ap,- plicat'ion for which was filed May 15, 1924. The booster charge 40, together with the wax;

,like` material filling the space 41, is kept out of contact with the rearward protruding end of the detonator casing 24' by a suitable metal lining or casing 42 having a'ang 43 at its forward end, xedly secured between the closing plug 14 andthe clamping nut 44. The rear chamber is completely closed by the thin The action of the fuse on shock of gun discharge is as follows: The inertia sleeve 37 sets back, rearwardly distorting the to'e pieces 33 of the cage 30 and the wings 36 of the stirrup 35, also compressing the reaction spring 38 until said inertia sleeve 37 bears firmlyupon and jams on the externally tapered portion-26 of the screwed cap 23, thus becoming rigidly attached or clutched thereto. The striker 17 the cage 30, the stirrup 35 and detonator 2O being no longer restrained by the inertia sleeve 37, are, therefore, free to move forwardly.

As soon as the projectile and fuse have left the muzzle of the gun, that is to say, as soon as their acceleration has ceased, the reaction spring 38 tends to move the entire detonating mechanism forwardly, viz, the striker 17, the cage 30, the stirrup 35 and the detonator 20; but said forward movement is opposed by the air pressure due to the velocity of the proj ectile in Hight. Owing to the continually de. creasing air pressure, as the projectile passes along its trajectory, the reactionv spring 38 will eventually projectforwardly the entire detonating mechanism, until said forward movement is arrested by the shouldering of the detonator holder 21 on the closing plug 14. The exact pointin the trajectory at which this forward movement is entirely effected can be controlled by the tension of the reac-A tioIn spring 38.

this forward position, the clutch springs 31 and the/annular groove 19 are in juxtaposition to the annular recess 16 in the fuse cap 11. Said clutch springs 31 are, therefore, free to be expanded outwardly into the recess 16 in' the event of the striker being driven rearwardly towards the priming cap 25. Also, in4 this forward or tiring position the main detonator 28 is withdrawn from the protective sheath 41 in the booster charge 40, and therefore, being in juxtaposition with the unprotected portion of the booster charge, can readily, communicate to it a wave of 'detonat'iom initiated by the influence of the priming cap 25, whenired by the striker needlev 18. 'j

On impact with the objective the striker 17 is retarded. Owing to the inertia of the detonator mechanism, viz, the detonator 20, stirrup 35 and cage 30, relative movement between the striker 17 f and said mechanism is vcharge 40 and .from'thence tothe. main explosive charge in the projectile. A l

From the foregoing description it will be clearly understood that the fuse I have ineffected, thereby causing the. clutch springs A cap, firmly clutched to the striker at all times, eircept when in the firing position, makes 1t impossible to obtain contact between the striker and the detonator until' the elements comprising the detonating. mecha-l nism have been brought to the firing position.

tion lof a striking member having a depres- The omission of this spacing element, due to careless assembling, does not, however, render the fuse dangerous, as-long as the detonator itself is retained in its inoperative position; besides which, the inversion of the fuse durin handling. would, in the absence of 'the sa ety distance piece, cause the striker to drop out of the fuse altogether.4 The detonator mechanism is secured in an inoperative position, by an inertia sleeve, from the restraining effect of which it is only released after the shock of gun discharge Accidental dropping ofthe fused projectile prior to ir.- ing will not effect this release. Even after such release has been effected on set bak the fuse is still inoperativein the bore of the gun, owing to the acceleration of the projectile therein, andwfurther its movement to an operative position can be delayed to any desired point in its trajectory. Finally, even if, through some unforeseen cause, the detonator were fired, during storage, during handling, or while in the gun, its position in regard to the booster charge and its protective sheath is such that the detonation of the latter would not .be effected.

y Having, thus fully what I claim is: l

1. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a firing pin, a. detonator member, a A

spacing member interposed between the iring pin and the dctonator member so that forward movement of the latter will movethe firing pinto its forward position through the 'medium of the spacing member, and

' means for normally preventing forward rendered ineffective uponv discharge of a pro;

movement of the spacing member. and rendered ineifective upon discharge of the projectile from a gun.

2. In a fuse for a pro'fcctile, the combination of a firing pin, a ,etonator member, a

spacing member interposed between the fir' lnglpin and-the detonator member so that forward movement of the latter will move the firing pin to its forward position through the medium of the spacing member, an inertia member, and means cooperating with the latter member for normally preventing for? ward movement of the spacing member and jectile 4from a gun.

3. In a fuse for a projectile, the-combination of a firing pin, a detonator member, a Q

spacing member inter-connecting the firing described my invention,

' ber surrounding the safety member, a spring' pin and-the detonator member so that for-I'v ,ward movement ofthe latter will move'the iiring pin to its forward positiom'an inertia- 4. In a fuse for a projectile, the combinasion, a detonating member, and a safety member fitting against one end of the detonating memberand having. spring tongue means to engage in the depression of the striking mem ber, said saf ty member being rendered inefp' fective by the unitary movement ofthe striking and dctonating members to a liring position.

5. A projectile fuse .comprising striking and detonating members movablefrom inop-v for separating the striking and detonating members, clutchingmeans for connect-ing the safety member to one ofthe first-named mem- ,b'ers as longas the latter occupy inoperat-ive positions and releasable when lsuch members-- move forwardly' to a lpredetermined extent,

and means for normally holdingthe detonating memberin inoperative position. 6. In a fuse, the combination of a body haverative'to5 firing positions, a safety member.

ing a cavity provided with an internal shoulder, striking and .detonating members in the cavity,A afsafety member interposed between leasable connection between the safety memfor preventing its forward movement in respect to the latter fand 4adapted to be deformed upon rearward movement of the in ertia member,A and means'for clutching the inertia member to the detonating member when said rearward movement has been ef-" .fected.

with said shoulder, deformable means car-4 ried'by the safety member. and extending out- '7. In a fuse, --the combinationof a striking n member' having an annular groove therein, a ydetonating member, a safety member for spacing the striking, member from the detenating member, s ai'd safety member having Yspring tongues for engagement in the annular groove ofthe striking member, an inertia A memberv surroundmg the safety member, 4

means on the'safety member for preventing its forward movement in respect. to theA in? ertia' member and adapted-'to bc deformed upon rearward movement of the latter,` and means for clutching the detonating member to the inertia member when said vrearward movementhas been effected.

100' the striking and detonatiilg members, a re-f ing the detonatling member to the iner -ia vmember when said rearward movement has vbeen effected.

9. In a fuse, the combination of a body portion having an axial chamber open at the nose end of the body, said chamber having irst' `and second shoulders and a depression adjacent to the first shoulder, an impact member of shell construction in the chamber and l1aving a head portion yfor yengagement with the first shoulder -to `limit` rearward movement of the impact member, afirngpin carried by the impact member, said impact member having a depression adjacent to t-he ring pin, a detonator member, means for spacing the detonator memberfrom the impact member` said spacing means inelildng spring means adapted to be engaged inthe depression of the impact'memberand confined in engaged position by agprtion f: the wall of the chamber V'until such springftongue means come opposite to the depression adjacent to the first shoulder, a sprrng for maintaining the inertia ,member in centactwith the second shoulthe spacing member for DE@ lilffliligimveardvifriovement of the latter in'uespectito the inertia member and adapted to-be deformed by said inertia member upon its rearward movement and means forconnecting t detonator member to the inertia member vtliensaid rearward movement has been eiected.

10. In fuse, the combination of a body portion having an axial chamber open to vthe nose end, .said chamber having an'internal annular rib and an annular groove at the rear side offthe rib, 'a hollow impact member head --portion adapted to contact o limit rearward movement of the nnpae ember, a firing ,pin carried by the 1nner of the impact member, said' impact mem. having an annular groove there? in, a cletl tor member, a spacing. member for spacing-the detonator and impact members, saidgspacing member having. spring tongues adapted to engage in the annular groove ofthe impact member and to be con- :[ined in engaged position by the chamber `wall until such tonguescome opposite 'to the' annular groove adjoining the rib, an inertia member surrounding the spacing member, deformable lugs carried by lthe latter and extending outwardly o the boi'e of the inertia combination of 'a striking member, said lugs adapted to be deformed upon rearward movement of the inertia member, and means for clutching the detonator member to the inertia member when said rearward movement has been effected.

11. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a striking member, a detonator mcmber, a spacing member interposed between the striking and detonating members so that the latter members may be moved in unison to active position, afconnection between the spacing and striking members rcleasable in t ie forward ,position of such parts, means cooperating with thc spacing member to normally prevent forward movement ot' the latter and rendered ineil'ective upon discharge of the projectile, and means for storing energy upon tiring of the projectile and ap- Lplying such to -advance the latter and the striking mem-' ber to active position by means ofthe spacingmember interposed between the members.

12. In a fuse, the combination of'a body portion having an arial chamber open at the nose end and provided with iir'st and second interior shoulders, and a depressiomadjacent Vto the first shoulder, an impact member in the chamber having a shoulder adjacent toits i'orward end to limit rearward movement of the impact member, said impact member having a depression adjacent to its rear end, a liring pin carried by the rear end of the impact member, a detonator member disposed in the chamber and rearwardly of the firing pin, said detonator member having a rearwarlly-facing abutment thereon, a stop member carried by the body portion and cooperating with the abutment of the detonator mem.- ber to limit rearward movement of the latter, means for spacing .the detonator member from the impact member including resilient tongue means adapted to be engaged in the depression of the impact member and heldin.

- portion having an axial passage open at the nose end and providedwith first .and second `shouldersnand an annular groove adjacent to the iirst shoulder', an impact member in the chamber 'and having a shoulder adjacent to its forward end to llmit rearward movement thereof, a tiring pin carriedby the rear end of the impact member, said impact member having an annular groove adj acent' to ,its

rear end, a detonator member in theicham'ber llll and disposed rearwardly of the firingl in, means for limiting rearward movement gf thedetonator member, a spacing device having an abutment port-ion bearingagainst the' 7forward end of the detonator member and having spring means held en aged in thev1y of the rear end of the inertia member to limit forward movement of the connected impact member and spacing device with respect to the: inerti a member, said tongues'being deformable upon movement of the inertia member .relative to the spacing device, and clutch portions carried by the inertia and detonator members for connecting,v them together upon rearward movement of. the inertia member to a suitable extent.

14. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a fusebody, a detonator member, a firin pin slidablymounted in said body, a mem er temporaril interposed between the firing pin and the etonator member so that both members may be movedin unison to active position, means normally preventing said movement but rendered ineective at the discharge of the projectile from a gun, andA means operable after the last named means is rendered ineffective to move the firing pin and detonator member into active position. A 15. In a fuse for a projectile, the combinationof a fuse body, a firing pin slidablym tive to move the detonator member forwardmounted in the fuse body, a detonator slidably mounted in the'fuse body, a member temporarily interposed between the tiring pin and theY detonatormember so that both members may be moved in unison tov active position, means. including inertia member for. normall preventing said movement but rendere ineffective at the discharge of the projectile from a gun, and means to store energy induced by said ertia member for moving the tiring pin and etonator member into activeposition.

16. In a fuse for aclprojectile, .the combination of a fuse body, a tiring pin slidably mounted in the fuse body, a detonator member slidably mounted in the body, a member temporarily interposed between the tiring pin and the dtonator -memberso that botlrlthe latter and said striker so that forward 12kt.'

members may be moved in unisongto active position, an inertia member, an a 'utment meinber engaging the latter member for. normally preventing said movement but rendered ineffective by the movement of-said inertia member at the discharge of the projectile from a gun, and means to. store energy in duced by the inertia member for moving the firing pin and detonat'or member linto active positiomsaid movement of said inertiaemem- .ber operatively connectingV itto' the detonator member whereby the latter and the tiring pin may be moved to their active position. 17. In a 'fuse for a projectile the combination of a fuse body having an open recess mounted in said recess, a shoulder formed on said striker, a detonator member, and a safety member engaging one end of the detonator member Vand having spring tongue means to engage said shoulder 18'. In a fuse, the combination of a striking member having a shoulder formed thereon, a detonator member, a safe member for spacing the strikin member om the-detonator member, sai safety member having spring tonguesfor engaging'said shoulder, 'an inertia member, 'means cooperating with the latter. for normally preventing the forp, ward movement of the'detonatbr member,"

andmeans for clutching the latter member to the inertia'membe'r n upon rearward movement of the latter.

body having a cavity therein, a striker mounted in said cavity, a detonator. member mounted in said cavity, a safety member interposed'-between the striker andthe detonator member, a releasable -connectionbetween said safety member and the striker, an inertia member, means cooperating with the latter member to prevent the forward movement of the detonator member and 'rendered ineffective during the rearward movement of the inertia member, a`spring compressed by the latter during saidmovement and eiec- 1y, and means forlockin said releasable conn ection during the initia iiightof the projec-` e. A 20.}In a fuse,'tl 1e combination of afuse body having an open cavity, a striker mounted in said cavity, a detonator member, a safety member interposed between the latterI and the striker, a releasable connection between said safety' member and the striker, means to store and impart energy induced by the acceleration'of the projectileto eiect the forward m'ovement of the striker, and means to lock said releasable connection during-the) forward movement of said striker. Y

the striker member to active position, means to normally prevent the :forward movemnt of lob 2l. In .a-fuse .for projectiles, thecombina-l tion o a direct impact striker, a detonator 'the detontor member and rendered ineifecf tive at the discharge Vofthe' projectile from a gun,-and means energized by'said discharge' Aeffective to move said 'detonator-member fori wardl whereby the striker member@v is. l.

move forwardly to its active position.

22. In a fusefor a projectile, thenombi- 70 formed therein, a direct impact strikeri nation of a striker member of the direct impact type and having a shoulder formed thereon, a detonator member, a safety member engaging one end of the detonator member and having spring tongiie means to engage said shoulder, and means for normally preventing the forward movement of said 4detonator member and rendered ineffective venting the forward movement of said detthereon,

-ber engaoing one end of the detonator mmonator member and rendered ineffective at discharge of the projectile from a gun, 'and means energized by said discharge effective to move said detonator forwardly and the striker member to its active position.

24. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a striker member of the direct impact type and having a shoulder formed thereon, a detonator member, a safety member engaging one end of the detonator member and havingspring tongue means to engage said shoulder, an inertia member surrounding said detonator member, a member having lateral projections .cooperating with said inertia member to normally prevent the forward movement of said detonator member, and a spring compressed by the rearward movement of said inertia member, said movement of the latter member operatively connecting it to the detonator member.

25. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a striker member of the direct impact type and having a shoulder formed a detonator member, a safety mem- 23 ber and having spring tongue means to engage said shoulder, an inertia member surrounding said detonator member, a member having lateral projections cooperating with said inertia member to normally prevent the forward movement of said detonator member, a spring compressed by the rearward movement of said inertia member, and means for clutching the latter member to the detonating member upon rearward movement of the inertia member.

26. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a fuse body having a recess formed therein, a striker mounted in said recess, a detonator member, and a safety member adapted to yieldingly prevent the movement of the striker and detonator towards each other, the walls of said recess normally engaging said safety member to positively prevent said movement. y

27. In a fuse forprojectiles, the combination of a striker, a detonatormember, a

safety member adapted to yieldingly pre- 1n a radial. direction-t member ineffective. J 28. In a fuse for projectiles, themcbmbination ofV a striker membe 'jai detonator'member, and a-safe'ty meansthe striker member. andthe; 'detonatoy ber and adapted to yieldi-iigly engagepne'oi said members at its, p'erip ery tofi nstrain said members apart during 'the flig of the projectile, said members "b'e'ng the fuse .so that their mutual approach may be effected by the direct forces of impact.l

29. In a fuse for projectiles ofthe supersensitive type, the combination of a striker member of the direct impact type, a detonator member, and restraining meansinterposedv between said members to yieldingly the impact Cfrcesi` l der sald :safety strike-r and det:

essedi hold them apart during the flight of the proments, whereby, upon impact of thev pin with an object, relative movement of the in with respect to the-spacing member read- 'lly takes place to permit of impingement of the firing'pin on the detonator.

31. In a fuse, the combination of .a'fuse body, a firing pin, a detonator, a spacing member between the firing pin and the detonator, means formed on thefuse body to engage said firing pin and positively limit the rearward movement of said pin, .means energized by set back for advancing the ydetonator and, through the spacing member, for advancing the firing pin, and a connection between the firing pin and the spacing member including radially movable elements, whereby, upon impact of the pin with an object, relative movement of the pin with respect to the spacing member readily takes place to permit of impingement of the firing pin on the detonator.

32. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a fuse body, a firing mechanism adapted to move forwardly in said body from an inoperative position to active position during the flight of the' projectile` an inertia member, and means cooperating-with the latter member for normally preventing the forward movement of said mechanism and rendered ineffective upon discharge of the projectile from the gun.

Lesa-1.84

33. In a'fuse for a projectile, the combination of a fuse body, a firing pin, a. detonator member, aspacing member interposed between the Hring pin and the detonator member, so that forward movement of the latter will move the firing pin to its forward position through the medium of the spaeing'mem-l ber, and means for normally preventing for--A ward movement of the detonator member and rendered ineffective .upon discharge of the mechanism com rising 'a -movable firing-pin projectile from a gun. v

34. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a striking member of the direct impact type and having a shoulder formed thereon, a detonatormember, a safety member engaging one end of the detonator member and having spring tongue means to engage said shoulder, an inertia member, and a member having laterial projections cooperating with said inertia member to normally prevent the forward movement ofthe detonator member. 1

35. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse body, a detonator member, a firing pin member `slidably mounted in said Y body, a member temporarily interposed between the Hring pin Iand the detonator so that said three members maymove in unison to active position, and means normally preventing said movement but rendered ineffective at the discharge of the projectile from a gum i 36. In a fuse for-projectiles, the combination of a fuse body, a firing mechanism adapted to move forward integrally in said body from any inoperative position to an active position during the Hight Aof theprojectileand means adapted to be energized during the initial acceleration of the projectile to cause -the movement o f said mechanism Ato active position.

37. In a fuse for .projectiles, the combination of a `fuse body, a firing mechanism, said Hring mechanism comprising a movable firing pin and a movable detonator member, a spacing member interposed between said pin and said member whereby the forward movement of the detonator member causes a forward movement tothe firing pin\and means'adapted to be energized upon shock'of discharge of the projectile from a gun to cause the forward movement of the detonator member.'

38. In a fuse for projectiles, -thecombination of a fuse body, a firing mechanism adapted to move forwardly in said body from` an inoperative position to an active position during the Hight of the projectile, means normal- 1 preventing the forward movement of said in'g mechanism but rendered meifective during the discharge of theI projectile fromagun, and means adapted to be energiaed dui,

ing the -initial acceleration of the projectile to cause the forward movement of the detonator member. i

' 39. In a fuseforprojectiles,thecombination Y active position, and

of a fuse body,'a firing mechanism adapted to move forwardly in said body from an inoperative position to an active position-during the Hight of the projectile, means normally preventing the forward movement of said detonator member, and 'energy storage means for mov1ng`sa1d detonator member from its'l inoperative to its active position. 40. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse body, a Hr'nigmechanism, said and a movable detonator member,"a spacing member interposed between said pin and said member.- whereby the forward movement of the Vdetonator member causes a forward movement to the firing pin,.means for normally preventing the movement of -said detonator member but rendered ineffective during the discharge of the projectile from a gun, and means adapted to beenergized during the ini- .tial accelerationof the projectile to cause the forward movement of the detonator member. 41. fIn a fusefor `projectiles, Vthe combination of a movable detonator member, a movable Hring pin member, a safety member interposed between the firing pin member and j the detonator member so that all of said membersmay move in unison from inorperative to means for effecting said movement.

42. A projectile fuse comprising striking and detonating me'mbers movable from inoption of a-movable detonator member, a. mov- 10:5 a fuse'for projectiles, the combina- I' able Hring in, a safety member interposed between the ring pin and the detonator member so that they move in unison from inoperaytive to active' position, means normally preventing the movement ofl said detonator memberf and the firingl pin to lactive position adapted to be rendered ineffective prior to ,impact of the projectile against anobject` and` means for moving the detonator memberA and the firing pin to active position afterthe rstfmentioned means lias been renderedine'H'ective.

44. Ina fuse for. projectiles, the. combination of a movable detonator member, a movable striking member, a safety memberfinterposed between the Alatter and the detonator' member so that they'move in unison from inoperative .to active position, said safety member havin# releasable engagement with one of said otlier members, meansfor moving said striking member and detonator member to active position and means to control said rcleasable engagement while said members are in their inoperative position.

45'. In a fuse for a projectile, the combination of a fuse body, a rng pin adapted to protrude beyond said body, a detonator member, a spacing member interposed between the tiring pin and the detonator member, so that forward movement of the latter will move the firing pin to its forward position through the medium of the spacing ,member and means for normally preventing forward movement ot' the detonator member and rendered inelective upon discharge of the projectile from a gun.,

46. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a iuse body, a detonator member, a firing pin slidably mounted in said body and vadapted to protrude beyond said body, a member temporarily interposed between the firing pin and the detonator so'that they move in unison to active position and means normally preventing said movement but rendered ineective at the .discharge of the projectile from a gun.

47. A fuse for projectiles, the combination with a fuse body having an open recess formed therein, or' a detonator member Slidably mounted in said recess, a striking member slidably mounted in said recess, a spacer interposed between said members and having portions thereof constituting a releasable means to engage with one of said members, one of said members adapted to move in said recess and through said spacer move the other member whereby'the latter protrudes beyond the fuse body and-said members aremoved from inoperative to active position, means normally locking said releasable means rendered inefective after said members have moved a predetermined extent, means normally preventing the movement of saidmembers rendered inei'ective prior to the projectile reaching its object and means activated after the last mentioned means has been rendered ineli'ective for moving said members forwardly.

In testimony whereof-I hereunto aix my signature this lthday of May, 1924.

PIETER DANIEL VAN ESSEN. 

